Presidency

Tinubu: Nigeria, others must reform military to end insecurity in Lake Chad

President Bola Tinubu says Nigeria and the neighbouring countries in the Lake Chad region must display courage in reforming their military doctrine and practices.

Tinubu said the change in tactics had become necessary because the countries in the region are battling a “mobile and elusive irregular force” that disregards established rules of warfare.

The president, who said this at the graduation ceremony of Senior Course 45 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna State on Friday, July 21, 2023, stressed that the adversaries facing countries in the sub-region are not conventional armies engaging in traditional battlefield warfare.

President Tinubu, who enjoined African countries to work together against common threats, acknowledged the multinational efforts of Nigeria, Cameroon, the Niger Republic, and Chad to bring peace to the Lake Chad region.

He stated that the collaboration should serve as a commendable example to be emulated and improved on wherever necessary.

Tinubu said: “We must also be brave enough to reform military doctrine and practice. We do not face a conventional army on the traditional field of battle. No, we contend against mobile, elusive irregular forces that disdain the normal rules of warfare.

“We must adjust accordingly to subdue the menace. This shall require a change in mindset, in strategy, in tactics in equipment and in gear.”

The president further stated that his national security objective would focus on ensuring security, justice, and democratic prosperity through state power.

While acknowledging the commitment of the immediate-past government in enhancing the combat readiness of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Tinubu pledged to “pick up the pace”, by providing the necessary support to the military.

Tinubu added: “As Commander-in-Chief, I have given myself the following charge: to deploy the entire machinery of state power to ensure security of our people and property in a just and democratic society.

“Under my predecessor, the Armed Forces worked tirelessly toward necessary reforms to enhance combat effectiveness and operational capability. We must now pick up the pace.”

President Tinubu described the role of the armed forces in combatting Africa’s greatest challenge of violence and exploitation as crucial, urging them to defend the continent from geopolitical changes and resource competition.

He, therefore, commended the graduates from Nigeria’s Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, as well as students from Asia and other African nations, just as he hailed the College’s efforts in curricula improvement and facility upgrade, encouraging the graduates to stand brave and unwavering in their constitutional responsibilities as defenders of the nation.

Others at the event were the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani; the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Dr. Ibrahim Kana; and Service Chiefs; among others.

The Star